SEATTLE
DEAF-BLIND
SERVICE CENTER
COMMUNICATION FACILITATOR (CF)
& VIDEO COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
The Deaf-Blind Service Center is contracted with the State of Washington, Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing to provide CF services and video communication awareness for the deaf-blind community members.
- Communication facilitator and video communication awareness presentations
- Video communication information including Video Relay Service, Video Relay Interpreters, and direct calls, and referral
- Training for using CF services
- Training of video equipment such as VP 200 and DB Link
- Video Relay Service, Point to Point (Direct calls), and CF communication
- CF Service upon your request at either DBSC, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, and Southwest Eastern Washington Center of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Yakima
- Free public use of the videophone station at DBSC's Video Communication Center in DBSC Conference room
Deaf-blind persons can now use videophones and Video Relay Services through the use of Communication Facilitators (CFs). To access the videophone, we provide CFs, who are skilled signers that copy the sign language shown on the videophone screen and transmit the information through the use of close vision or tactile sign language to a deaf-blind person. (More info about CFs and videophones below.) DBSC trains and coordinates CFs. Communication facilitation is provided in the DBSC office, where clients come to use a DBSC equipment with a CF.
Following a successful pilot project in January 2007, the Communication Facilitation program began in August 2007. From quarter to quarter, the number of hours and the number of consumers using CFs increased slowly as outreach and education initiatives spread the word of the program. Most of our consumers were not familiar with videophone technology and the power of access to videophones and video relay services by using CFs. Once the deaf-blind consumers were exposed to CF services, they felt empowered and independent, reaching out to get more information from businesses, financial resources, their family and relatives, and even building relationships with their neighbors.
During the first year (11 months), DBSC provided 295 hours of communication facilitation. In addition, DBSC trained new CFs as well as deaf-blind consumers on how to use Video Relay Service and how to operate the videophone. So far DBSC is the first and only agency to provide a CF program in the country. It is funded by Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH). For more information about ODHH click here.
What is a Communication Facilitator (CF)?
A CF is a skilled signer who "copies" any sign language from a caller on the screen of a videophone (VP) and provides visual information to deaf-blind person when he/she makes VRS and/or face-to-face calls with another signer. We provide deaf-blind persons a brief training on how to use a CF prior to making any VP calls. In addition, if the deaf-blind person is not familiar with how to make a VP call, DBSC provides extensive training on how to use the VP at DBSC. This can benefit deaf-blind people in many ways allowing them to freely express themselves in their own language and communicate directly without worrying about English as their second language.
In the last decade, the dynamics of being able to connect with deaf community have changed as VPs have overtaken the TTY as the main mode of communication (Click here for more info on TTYs). Also, many hearing people are still not familiar with how to contact deaf-blind people through relay service on Telebraille (Click here for more info about Telebraille here) as it is very time consuming during turn taking. Access to VPs for deaf-blind persons is very important, allowing them remain connected with society.
What is VRS?
Video Relay Service, or VRS, is a service that provides ASL translation for a deaf-blind or deaf person through the use of a videophone whereby a deaf individual using sign language calls a Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) who interprets between the caller and a voice user. Video relay services are provided by various companies, Sprint, MCI, Sorenson, HOVRS, Hamilton VRS, CSD VRS, and other VRS providers.
Click here for an example of the equipment often connected to a TV to be used as a Videophone.
How to Contact DB Via the Phone
Prior to the Phone Call
E-mail the deaf-blind (DB) person to set up a phone appointment (preferably 3 business days prior). Be sure to also include your phone number you will use for your appointment. Once the appointment date and time have been set the DB person will contact DBSC's Communication Facilitator Scheduler who will arrange a CF for your appointment time.
Day of the Call
The DB person will meet the CF at an agreed location, equipped with a Videophone (a device connected to a TV, similar to a webcam that allows signers to communicate directly). They will enter your number into the Videophone and connect with the Video Relay Service and a Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) (someone who voices everything that is being signed to them to the hearing caller and signs everything being spoken to the deaf or deaf-blind caller). The VRI will connect the two parties (DB with CF to the hearing caller) and the phone call will begin.
During the phone call:
Please keep in mind:
- The communication process does take a bit longer than a phone call to another hearing person. This is because of all those involved. The CF not only provides information about what is being said, but also what visual cues the DB person can not see, i.e. facial expression from the VRI, which are in turn being interpreted from the tone of your voice, showing happiness, anger, frustrations, etc. This is all very important information for the DB person.
- There is no need to say to the VRI, "Tell him/her this" or "Let him/her know that" you should speak directly to the DB person as you would any other caller. This provides much smoother communication and shows respect of the DB person.
- You may be trying to contact a male DB person, but may get a female VRS interpreter. Just remember, you are communicating with the DB person. The interpreter is only a tool for that communication.
- The CF is a communication tool as well and will not be seen by VRI on the screen. The only person that can be seen by the VRI is the DB consumer.
DBSC's public videophone station is open during business hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. To make CF appointments in Seattle please contact Jackie Engler-Morris at jengler@seattledbsc.org or 206-323-5463 TTY. For appointments in Yakima please contact Debra Kahn at djkahn419@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in becoming a CF or would like to make an appointment with a CF, please contact Jackie Engler-Morris at jengler@seattledbsc.org or 206-323-5463 TTY.
If you would like to learn more about acquiring Video Communication equipment please visit www.sorenson.com.
For more background information on Communication Facilitators read about Hawk Relay.